Winding machine

ABSTRACT

A winding machine winds a plurality of threads to form a plurality of spools, including at least one winding spindle having a plurality of winding points arranged along the winding spindle. Each of the winding points has one of a plurality of traversing units for guiding the threads back and forth, wherein the traversing units are retained adjacent to each other in a machine frame by a traversing plate. For stabilization, the traversing plate has, on one side, a tubular beam arranged at a distance, which tubular beam is rigidly connected to the traversing plate at the ends of the tubular beam. In order to avoid natural vibrations, at least one damping element is provided between the ends of the tubular beam, by means of which damping element the traversing plate is supported with respect to the tubular beam.

The invention relates to a winding machine for winding a plurality of yarns, according to the preamble of claim 1.

A winding machine of the generic type for winding a plurality of yarns to form bobbins is known from DE 10 2006 001 041 A1, for example.

Winding machines of this type are preferably employed in melt-spinning plants for winding a plurality of synthetic yarns, wherein the winding machine typically has a number of winding positions which corresponds to the number of simultaneously spun yarns in one spinning position. To this extent, more than ten winding positions may be configured so as to be parallel beside one another in one machine frame of the winding machine. A plurality of movable components are typically attached within the machine frame of the winding machine so that the occurrence of vibrations of the movable components on the fixed machine frame during winding operations is more or less inevitable. In this way and depending on the diameter of the bobbins, a winding spindle has to sustain a speed range of approx. 2000 rpm right up to 30,000 rpm from the beginning to the end of winding. Here, the critical speeds which cause non-damped vibrations of a winding spindle have to be particularly avoided, so as not to destroy the single-sided mounting of a winding spindle. The functional groups provided within the winding machine represent a vibration-capable system which has to be tuned in a corresponding manner.

In the known winding machine the vibration-capable system may be modified in particular in that frame reinforcements may be selectively activated or deactivated, so that the resonance frequency of the vibration system is modified. States in which an excitation frequency coincides with a resonance frequency may thus be avoided.

However, it has now been established in a multiplicity of winding positions within a machine frame that the components which in part protrude in a very long manner have a tendency of developing particular resonance vibrations. The latter may in particular influence yarn guiding in the winding positions.

It is thus an object of the invention to improve the winding machine of the generic type for winding a plurality of yarns in such a manner that in particular the frame parts in the winding positions are held in a manner that is as low in vibrations as possible.

This object is achieved according to the invention in that at least one damping element by way of which the traversing plate is supported in relation to the tubular beam is provided between the ends of the tubular beam.

Advantageous refinements of the invention are defined by the features and combinations of features of the dependent claims.

The winding machine according to the invention is distinguished in that in the case of winding spindles which protrude in a very long manner, having a corresponding multiplicity of winding positions, uniform yarn guiding is possible in each of the winding positions. In this way, all traversing units may be collectively held on one traversing plate, without traversing units which in particular are disposed in the central region being impinged with resonance vibrations.

In order to obtain the highest effectiveness for stabilizing the traversing plate, the damping element is preferably disposed in a central region of the traversing plate.

The rigidity of the traversing plate here may be preferably improved by the refinement of the invention in which the tubular beam extends substantially across a total length of the traversing plate, at least across 90% of the total length of the traversing plate.

By way of structural improvements of this type, total lengths of the traversing plate in the range of 1.5 m to 2.5 m are readily implementable.

In the case of traversing plates of this type of length the refinement of the invention in which a plurality of damping elements, which are held so as to be distributed in a mutually spaced apart manner in the central region of the tubular beam, are disposed between the tubular beam and the traversing plate is preferably embodied.

A rubber buffer which generates a uniform damping effect across a relatively large frequency range is preferably used as a damping means.

In order for the assembly possibilities of the traversing units to be improved it is provided that the traversing plate at the ends is held in each case on the machine frame by a pivot bearing.

The pivot bearing here is preferably configured on a movable roller support for receiving a contact roller, wherein the traversing plate is supported on the roller support. It is thus ensured that the spacing between the traversing units and the bobbin surfaces remains constant in the event of an evasive movement of a contact roller which bears on the bobbin surfaces.

An exemplary embodiment of the winding machine according to the invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the appended figures, in which:

FIG. 1 schematically shows a side view of the exemplary embodiment of the winding machine according to the invention;

FIG. 2 schematically shows a plan view of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 schematically shows a cross-sectional view of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 schematically shows a plan view of a traversing plate.

A first exemplary embodiment of the winding machine according to the invention is schematically illustrated in a plurality of views in FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG. 1 shows a side view, FIG. 2 shows a plan view, and FIG. 3 schematically shows a cross-sectional view. The following description will apply to all figures insofar as no explicit reference is made to one of the figures.

The exemplary embodiment of the winding machine has, in a machine frame 1, a winding turret 4 which is rotatably mounted, on which two winding spindles 3.1 and 3.2, which protrude in a long manner, are held. The winding spindles 3.1 and 3.2 are disposed on the winding turret 4 so as to be mutually offset by 180° and are linked to spindle drives 5.1 and 5.2 which are held on the opposite side of the winding turret 4. The winding turret 4 is linked to a turret drive 17.

A plurality of winding positions 2 are configured on the machine frame 1 so as to be beside one another above the winding spindles 3.1 and 3.2. The winding positions 2 are disposed so as to be uniformly distributed across the protruding length of the winding spindles 3.1 and 3.2 and in each case have one yarn guide 11 and one traversing unit 6 which is disposed below the yarn guide 11. In this exemplary embodiment eight winding positions 2 are disposed beside one another. The number of winding positions 2 is exemplary and may also include 6, 10, 12, or 16 positions.

As can be derived from the illustration in FIG. 3, the traversing units 6 in the winding positions 2 are configured in each case by one counter-rotating wing pair 7, the wing tips of which within the winding position 2 guide a yarn to and fro along a guide ruler 8. Such wing-type traversing units are well known, so that no further description in relation thereto is required.

As can be derived from FIGS. 1 to 3, the traversing units 6 of the winding positions 2 are collectively held on a traversing plate 9. The traversing plate 9 is supported on a roller support 13 which carries a contact roller 10 which is interdisposed between the traversing units 6 and the winding spindles 3.1 and 3.2. The roller support 13 of the contact roller 10 by way of a pivot bearing 12 is linked to the machine frame 1. The contact roller 10 extends across a total winding region of the winding positions 2 and is substantially parallel with the winding spindles 3.1 and 3.2. The traversing plate 9 by way of a pivot bearing 16 is held on the roller support 13. An elongate tubular beam 14 which by way of its ends is fixedly connected to the traversing plate 9 extends on an upper side of the traversing plate 9. A plurality of damping elements 15.1 and 15.2 are disposed in particular in the central region of the traversing plate 9, between the ends of the tubular beam 14. The damping elements 15.1 and 15.2 are disposed in a mutually spaced-apart manner between the tubular beam 14 and the traversing plate 9 and form a support of the traversing plate 9 in relation to the tubular beam 14. As can be derived in particular from FIG. 3, the traversing plate 9 on the lower side has a plurality of supports 21 by way of which the traversing plate 9 is supported on the roller support 12.

As can be derived from the illustration in FIG. 1, in each case one winding tube 18 is held on the winding spindles 3.1 and 3.2 of each winding position 2. In this way, a yarn 20 which is infed via the yarn guides 11 may be wound to form a bobbin 19 on the circumference of a winding spindle 3.1 or 3.2. Once a predetermined bobbin diameter of the bobbin 19 of the winding spindle which is held on a winding region has been attained, the winding spindles 3.1 and 3.2 are pivoted by the winding turret 4 so that a yarn changeover and a yarn transfer may take place in the winding positions 2.

As can be derived from the illustration in FIG. 3, the traversing plate 9 is linked to the roller support 13. The roller support 13 in its position within the machine frame 1 may be modified by way of the pivot bearing 12. Modifications of this type arise in particular in the operating state in the event of a stationary winding turret 4, so as to enable doffing of fully bobbins from the winding spindle which is being held in the changeover position, for example. On account of linking the traversing plate 9 to the roller support 13, the traversing units 6 are likewise modified in their position in a manner which maintains their relative position to the contact roller 10. In this way the spacing between the traversing units 6 and the bobbin surfaces of the bobbins 19 remains constant in any operational state, enabling uniform cross-winding for forming the bobbin 19.

In the exemplary embodiment of the winding machine according to the invention which is illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, the yarns 20 in the winding positions 2 are wound in parallel to form bobbins 19. To this end, the yarns 20 are infed to the winding positions 2 via the yarn guides 11. In order to be deposited on a bobbin 19, each yarn 20 within one traversing stroke is guided to and fro by the wing pair 7 of the traversing units 6 and after partial wrapping on the circumference of the contact roller 10 is deposited on the circumference of the bobbin 20. The winding spindle 3.1 during winding of the yarn 20 to form bobbins 19 is driven by way of the spindle drive 5.1. Here, vibrations are excited by way of an excitation frequency which varies depending on the operational speed of the winding spindles 3.1. The vibrations having the excitation frequency are transmitted directly or via the machine frame 1 to adjacent functional groups. Being adjacent functional groups, the contact roller 10 having the roller support 13, and the traversing units 6 having the traversing plate 9, are primarily affected. It has been found here that excessive rigidity characteristics on the traversing plate 9 have a disadvantageous effect on resonance frequency shifting. In principle, tuning of the resonance frequencies of the components and of the excitation frequency of the winding spindles is required. On account of the configuration of the winding machine according to the invention, the traversing plate 9 has sufficient rigidity which is substantially determined by the rigid tubular beam 14. The comparatively high elasticity in the central region of the traversing plate 9 here may be stabilized by the damping elements 15.1 and 15.2. Unimpeded resonance frequencies of the traversing plate 9 may not arise.

The design and attachment of the damping elements 15.1 and 15.2 in the illustrated exemplary embodiment of the winding machine on the upper side of the traversing plate are exemplary. It is essential here that no excessive rigidity which leads to a rise in the resonance frequency is generated in particular on the traversing plate. Rubber buffers which, apart from damping, generate a comparatively high supporting effect have proven to be particularly successful damping elements 15.1 and 15.2.

FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a further exemplary embodiment of a traversing plate, such as could be employed in the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 3, for example. In this exemplary embodiment the traversing plate 9 has a total length which is identified by the reference letter L. The tubular beam 14 which is fastened to an upper side of the traversing plate 9 has a length which is identified by the reference letter L_(R). The length L_(R) of the tubular beam 14 is sized such that the tubular beam overlies at least 90% of the total length L of the traversing plate 9. Depending on the number of winding positions 2, the total length L of the traversing plate here is in a range of 1.5 m to 2.5 m. Depending on the length of the traversing plate 9, one or a plurality of damping elements may be disposed here between the tubular beam 14 and the upper side of the traversing plate 9. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, only one damping element 15 is provided. In principle, the number of damping elements and the type of damping elements is arbitrary. It is essential here that a compromise between softness and rigidity of the traversing plate, which is favorable to the resonance frequency of the entire vibration system, is found.

The tubular beam 14 by way of its ends and rigid mountings 22.1 and 22.2 is fixedly connected to the upper side of the traversing plate.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

-   1 Machine frame -   2 Winding positions -   3.1, 3.2 Winding spindle -   4 Winding turret -   5.1, 5.2 Spindle drives -   6 Traversing units -   7 Wing pair -   8 Guide ruler -   9 Traversing plate -   10 Contact roller -   11 Yarn guide -   12 Pivot bearing of roller support -   13 Roller support -   14 Tubular beam -   15.1, 15.2 Damping element -   16 Pivot bearing of traversing plate -   17 Turret drive -   18 Winding tube -   19 Bobbin -   20 Yarn -   21 Support -   22.1, 22.2 Mounting 

1. A winding machine for winding a plurality of yarns to form a plurality of bobbins, having at least one winding spindle and a plurality of winding positions which are disposed along the winding spindle, wherein each of the winding positions has one of a plurality of traversing units for guiding the yarns to and fro, wherein the traversing units are held beside one another by a traversing plate in a machine frame, and wherein the traversing plate on one side has a tubular beam which is disposed so as to be spaced apart and which at the ends thereof is fixedly connected to the traversing plate, and wherein at least one damping element by way of which the traversing plate is supported in relation to the tubular beam is provided between the ends of the tubular beam, on the side of the traversing plate.
 2. Winding machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the damping element is disposed in a central region of the traversing plate.
 3. Winding machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tubular beam extends substantially across a total length (L) of the traversing plate, at least across 90% of the total length (L) of the traversing plate.
 4. Winding machine as claimed in claim 3, wherein the total length (L) of the traversing plate is in the range of 1.5 m to 2.5 m.
 5. Winding machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of damping elements, which are held so as to be distributed in a mutually spaced-apart manner in the central region of the tubular beam, are disposed between the tubular beam and the traversing plate.
 6. Winding machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the damping element is formed by a rubber buffer.
 7. Winding machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the traversing plate at the ends is held in each case on the machine frame by a pivot bearing.
 8. Winding machine as claimed in claim 7, wherein the pivot bearing is configured on a movable roller support for receiving a contact roller, wherein the traversing plate is supported on the roller support.
 9. A winding machine to wind a plurality of yarns to form a plurality of bobbins, the winding machine comprising: a set of winding spindles, each winding spindle defining winding positions which are disposed along the winding spindle, a plurality of traversing units, each traversing unit residing at a winding position to guide a respective yarn to and fro, a traversing plate that holds the traversing units beside one another in a machine frame, a tubular beam on one side of the traversing plate disposed so as to be spaced apart and which at the ends thereof is fixedly connected to the traversing plate, and a set of damping elements by way of which the traversing plate is supported in relation to the tubular beam, each damping element being provided between the ends of the tubular beam, on the side of the traversing plate. 